This article refers to version 1.25 of the eBike Flow app and Tern electric bikes equipped with the Bosch Smart System. For the latest updates, please check the Bosch eBike Systems website.
The Bosch Smart System is an electric bike drive system designed to elevate your riding experience by prioritizing safety and convenience. Blending advanced hardware and intelligent software, this system is packed with handy features. This article offers a comprehensive overview to help you get started with the Bosch Smart System on Tern bikes, so let’s get started!
Contents
- What is the Bosch Smart System?
- Bosch Smart System Features and Benefits
- ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
- Which Tern bikes have the Bosch Smart System?
- Summary
What is the Bosch Smart System?
The Bosch Smart System is an advanced e-bike system designed to enhance your riding experience with seamless connectivity, customizable settings, and security features.
The system includes the motor, battery, LED Remote, display, and eBike Flow app, while some Tern bike models also have the ConnectModule GPS tracker. This smart integration makes your ride smoother and more efficient and gives you better control and safety.
In a nutshell, the Bosch Smart System is your e-bike’s brain, body, and GPS, all working together to elevate your ride and keep it ready for whatever comes next!
Bosch Smart System Features and Benefits
LED Remote with a smartphone and Kiox 300 display on the Tern GSD Gen 3 family cargo bike handlebar
Easy-Access LED Remote
The Smart System has an LED remote mounted on the non-drive side of the handlebar. This remote allows you to easily switch between options without taking your hand off the bar, or your eyes off the road. You'll also need to use the remote to operate the eBike display and activate Walk Assistance.
When you switch between the assist levels, the LED light on the remote will change color to indicate which level you’re in. Green is for Eco, blue for Tour, purple for Auto or eMTB, and red for Turbo or Cargo—the names of the levels depend on the bike platform.
eBike Flow App showing the options for the riding mode (assist level) customization
Precisely-Tuned Assist Levels
The Smart System adjusts the assist levels via the eBike Flow app, providing the right amount of support for your Tern bike when you need it. Each bike with the Smart System offers four assist levels.
For example, Auto mode adapts to your riding conditions, increasing assistance when you face a strong headwind and decreasing it when the road clears. You don't have to worry about constantly adjusting settings or pedaling harder—the bike does the work for you!
On the Orox, Auto mode is replaced with eMTB mode, which is designed for riding on varied terrain. It seamlessly shifts between Tour and Turbo modes, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted power without requiring manual switching. You get the consistent support of Tour mode and the maximum boost of Turbo mode when you need it.
If you prefer to fine-tune your ride yourself, the eBike Flow App lets you customize the maximum speed and cadence for each assist level—so you can tailor your e bike’s performance to your personal preferences.
Walk Assistance screen on the Kiox 300 display
Hill Hold for Safer Walk Assistance
If you’re already familiar with Bosch e bikes, you may already know that they have a feature called Walk Assistance, which gives you a little boost from the motor when you're walking your bike.
The Smart System makes this even better with Hill Hold. If you're using Walk Assistance and you start to roll backward, Hill Hold automatically kicks in and stops the wheels from moving. This gives you a few seconds to get control of your bike again, so you don't have to worry about it rolling away!
LED Remote with Kiox 300 display in Turbo mode on the Tern Orox adventure e cargo bike
Clear Displays
Kiox 300 Display
Some Tern e bike models come with the Kiox 300, which is a color display with a structured layout and is full of information divided into different categories, such as speed, cadence, and distance traveled. Each category has two levels. One level is the overview screen, and the other shows more details. To switch between these two levels, use the select button on the LED Remote.
Some highlights:
- Informative assistance: The Kiox 300 shows you the range for all riding modes, so you’ll know which is the most efficient to reach your destination.
- Riding style monitoring: The display takes note of your riding style and informs you whether you are performing below or above your target.
- Smartphone charge level: As the Kiox 300 has smartphone connectivity, it also shows you how much power your phone has left.
To learn more about the Kiox 300, read our article on the display settings for Tern bikes.
LED Remote with Intuvia 100 display on the Tern HSD Gen 2 P-Class electric cargo bike
Intuvia 100 Display
Other Tern bike models with the Smart System are equipped with the Intuvia 100, a monochrome display with a simple layout that shows you all the essential information. This includes (total) distance, riding time, range, and average speed.
The Intuvia 100 has a large black font with adjustable brightness for optimal readability. Although the Intuvia is monochrome, the LED remote will still change colors accordingly when switching between assist levels.
For more information about the Intuvia 100 display on Tern bikes, check out this article.
The Bosch Smart System streamlines hardware and software to create an advanced e-biking experience
eBike Flow App Connectivity
The Flow app lets you connect your smartphone to your e bike through the Intuvia 100 and Kiox 300 displays. The app is designed to enhance your riding experience by providing a range of helpful features and functions displayed in an easy-to-understand format.
To connect your bike to the Flow app, download it onto your phone, register for a Flow account with your Bosch ID*, and follow the setup instructions.
*Since April 2023, Bosch uses SingleKey as a platform for customers to access their Bosch account—you can still log in with your Bosch ID credentials.
The eBike Flow app connected to the Kiox 300 display on the HSD Gen 2 e-cargo bike
General Features
- Command center for your Tern e bike: Monitor your battery level, range, and distance traveled. You can also keep track of your service appointments and activity history.
- Over-the-air updates: New functions and features are installed automatically, saving you a visit to the bike shop!
- Activity tracking: Keep track of your trips, including your distance, average speed, and cadence. You can use this data to optimize your training routine.
- Navigation and route planning (Kiox 300 only): Plan and track your rides, and save the data for future reference.
Third-party syncing: Plan out your ride on Komoot, and sync your data on Strava and Apple Health for convenient access on other devices. - Riding mode customization: You can tune the different assist levels to either conserve battery life or give yourself a boost by adjusting the maximum speed and cadence.
eBike Lock
The eBike Flow app has some nifty security features, but the eBike Lock and eBike Alarm with GPS Tracking really stand out.
Let’s start with the eBike Lock, which is available on all Tern bikes with the Bosch Smart System. To use the eBike Lock, you must manually enable the function after pairing your phone with your bike. To lock the bike, turn off the motor by pressing the on/off button on the LED Remote.
If your bike has a Kiox 300 display, removing it will also lock the bike, and reattaching it will unlock it. However, on bikes with an Intuvia 100 display, removing or reattaching the display does not affect the lock at all. You can also unlock your bike when your smartphone is nearby, as long as Bluetooth is still enabled.
Left: eBike Lock activation screen
Right: eBike Alarm alert, showing your e bike’s location
eBike Alarm and GPS Tracking
The eBike Alarm and GPS Tracking are available on Tern bike models with the Bosch ConnectModule.
If you’d like to use the eBike Alarm, you should manually enable the eBike Lock & Alarm function when pairing your phone with your bike. Once the eBike Alarm is activated and the bike registers a sudden movement, beeps will sound, and the LED alarm will blink.
If someone rides off with your bike, then the acoustic signal becomes louder and you’ll receive a notification on your phone. On the Flow app, you’ll be able to track the bike’s movement and location, as well as report it as stolen to Bosch.
Flow+ subscription sign-up page—note that the subscription prices vary per region
Flow+ Subscription
Flow+ is a subscription service that gives you access to features like the eBike Alarm, current charge level, extended navigation, and additional statistics. Note that if your e bike doesn't have the ConnectModule, you'll only be able to use the navigation and statistics features.
If your bike has a ConnectModule, you'll automatically start a free 12-month trial of Flow+ when you first activate the eBike Lock and Alarm. If your bike does not have a ConnectModule, then this trial period is 1 month.
After the trial period, Flow+ will automatically renew to a paid subscription, and you can choose to be billed monthly or yearly. The cost of the subscription will vary based on your country. You can cancel your Flow+ subscription at any time, as long as you do so at least 24 hours before the next billing cycle.
Visit the Bosch website to learn more about Flow+ and its services. If you’d like to understand better the basic functions of the eBike Flow app for Tern cargo ebikes, we’ve got you covered with this article.
Bosch ABS control unit on the front wheel of a GSD Gen 3
ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
The Tern GSD Gen 3 S10 and R14 e-cargo bikes come with ABS. The Bosch eBike ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) is a safety feature that prevents the front wheel from locking up during braking. By automatically regulating braking pressure, it helps riders maintain stability and control, reducing the risk of skidding or flipping over the handlebars—especially during sudden stops or on slippery surfaces.
To learn more about how ABS works, check out this article and animation below.
Animation showing how the Bosch ABS works on an eBike
Which Tern bikes have the Bosch Smart System?
| GSD Gen 3 (S & R-Class), HSD Gen 2 (S-Class), Orox (All Models) | GSD Gen 3 P00 | HSD Gen 2 (P-Class), Vektron Gen 4 (EU) |
|---|---|---|---|
Display | Kiox 300 | Purion 200 | Intuvia 100 |
Flow App Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
eBike Lock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
eBike Alarm | Yes | Yes | - |
GPS Tracking | Yes | Yes | - |
Summary
The Bosch Smart System brings together powerful hardware and intelligent software to make your e-bike experience smoother, safer, and more connected.
With features like an easy-access LED Remote, precisely-tuned assist levels, Hill Hold, and smart displays, it’s designed to give you the right support exactly when you need it. Plus, with app connectivity, built-in security features, and an optional Flow+ subscription, you get even more control over your ride.
It might seem like a lot at first, but once you start using it, the system quickly becomes second nature. If you already have a Tern bike with the Smart System, Bosch has plenty of video guides to help you get the most out of it. And if you're still deciding whether the Smart System is right for you, check out this explanation to compare your options.
